Donald Trump accused African-American reporter Yamiche Alcindor of asking a “racist” question on Wednesday.
At a White House press conference, the PBS reporter wondered if the president was concerned that he is sending the wrong message by calling himself a “nationalist.”
“Some heard that as emboldening white nationalists,” Alcindor explained. “There are some people that say that now the Republican Party is seen as reporting white nationalists because of your rhetoric.”
“Why do I have the highest poll numbers ever with African-Americans?” Trump retorted. “My highest poll numbers — that’s such a racist question, honestly. I know you have it written down and you’re going to tell me — that’s a racist question.”
“I love our country, I do,” the president continued. “I don’t mind helping the world but we have to straighten out our country first and our problems.”
Trump added: “But to say what you said is so insulting to me, it’s a very terrible thing you said.”